PHOTOS: TRAGIC RITCHIE FIRE - Mother-Son Victims Identified

(03/10/2009)

A Pullman, Ritchie County woman and her son died when their two-story house burned to the ground early Saturday morning.

The Ritchie County Sheriff's Department have identified the victims as 91-year-old Lola Eakle and her son, 67-year-old Teddy Eakle.

Harrisville fire chief Dana Nutt told the Herald that "The woman's son exited the two-story house when he discovered it was on fire, but went back in to try and rescue his mother," both perished.

A third party was thought to be in the house, but officials said the male was staying at another residence.

The Ritchie County Sheriff's Department and the WV State Fire Marshal's office are investigating the cause of the blaze, which is not believed to be suspicious.